Best Seats in O2 Arena

Introduction

The O2 Arena in Greenwich is London's largest indoor arena, with a capacity of 20,000 for concerts. Since opening in 2007, it has become one of the world's busiest music venues, hosting everyone from Beyoncé to Ed Sheeran, The Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift. But with so many seating options across multiple tiers, finding the best seats in the O2 Arena can be overwhelming.

The good news? Unlike many venues, the O2 was purpose-built for entertainment, meaning there are genuinely good views from most sections. The bad news? Floor seats—often the most expensive—aren't always the best choice. This guide breaks down every section so you can find the perfect seat for your budget.

Quick Reference

Best overall value: Lower Tier Blocks 101-102 or 111-112 (elevated views, great sightlines)

Best for atmosphere: Floor Section A (if you want to be in the crowd)

Best budget option: Upper Tier Blocks 401-420 facing the stage (surprisingly good views)

Avoid: Blocks behind the stage (401-418 for end-stage shows), extreme corners of upper tier

Floor Seating

The floor at the O2 is flat, which creates a fundamental problem: unless you're near the front, you'll be looking at the backs of heads. Floor seating is divided into sections A through D (or more, depending on the show configuration), with A being closest to the stage.

Floor Section A

The verdict: Worth it if you're in rows 1-10, risky beyond that.

The first few rows of Section A put you incredibly close to the performers. For artists who interact with the crowd or have runway stages, this is unbeatable. However, beyond row 10, you'll start losing sightlines. The stage at the O2 is typically quite high, which helps, but taller crowds can still block your view.

Best seats: Rows 1-5, centre. You'll be close enough to see facial expressions and won't need the screens.

Avoid: Extreme sides of Section A—you'll spend the concert looking sideways.

Floor Sections B, C, and D

The verdict: Generally not recommended unless the price is significantly lower than lower tier.

These rear floor sections combine the worst of both worlds: you're far from the stage AND you don't have the elevated view of the tiered seating. You'll be watching the screens more than the actual performers.

If you're offered floor Section C or D at a similar price to Lower Tier, choose the tier every time.

Lower Tier

The Lower Tier is where you'll find the best seats in the O2 Arena for most concerts. The elevation gives you clear sightlines over the floor crowd, and you're still close enough to feel the energy.

Blocks 101-102 (Stage Left)

The verdict: Excellent. One of the best spots in the venue.

These blocks sit directly to the left of the stage at an angle that gives you a full view of the performance. You're elevated enough to see over the floor crowd but close enough that you won't need binoculars. Rows A-F are particularly good—close to the front of the block with unobstructed views.

Best seats: Rows A-G, seats towards the centre of the block. You'll have a perfect diagonal view of the stage.

Blocks 111-112 (Centre)

The verdict: The best seated view in the house, but often the most expensive.

Directly facing the stage, these blocks offer the view you see in concert films. Every visual element is designed to be seen from this angle. The downside? Everyone knows this, so these tickets sell fast and command premium prices.

Best seats: Rows A-E, centre seats. Further back is still excellent but you'll start relying more on the screens.

Blocks 101 and 118 (Stage Sides)

The verdict: Good value if discounted, but you'll have a side-on view.

These blocks are directly beside the stage. Great for seeing backstage action and feeling close to the performance, but you'll miss choreography and visual effects designed for front-on viewing. Perfect for bands where you want to watch specific musicians; less ideal for elaborate productions.

Blocks 103-110 and 113-117

The verdict: Solid all-rounders with views that range from excellent to good.

The further you move from centre (112) or stage-adjacent (101-102), the more angled your view becomes. Blocks 103-105 and 116-117 still offer good sightlines; blocks 108-110 start to feel quite far from the stage.

Pro tip: For blocks on the sides, always choose seats closer to the stage end of the block rather than the back of the arena.

Upper Tier

The Upper Tier often gets dismissed as "the cheap seats," but this is unfair. The O2's upper tier is steep, which means your view down to the stage is actually quite good—sometimes better than being stuck at the back of a flat floor section.

Blocks 401-405 and 416-420 (Behind Stage)

The verdict: Only book these if you know the stage configuration.

For standard end-stage concerts, these blocks are behind or beside the stage. You'll see the backs of performers and miss most of the production. However, some tours use centre-stage or in-the-round configurations, in which case these blocks offer unique perspectives.

Always check: Look up the specific tour's stage layout before booking these sections.

Blocks 406-410 and 411-415

The verdict: Best value in the upper tier.

These blocks face the stage at various angles. Blocks 406-407 and 414-415 have diagonal views similar to lower tier 101-102, just from higher up. Blocks 410-411 are directly facing, equivalent to lower tier 111-112.

Best seats: Front rows (row A-C) of any block make a significant difference up here. The further back you go, the more detached you'll feel from the performance.

Row A vs Row M

In the Upper Tier, the difference between front and back rows is substantial. Row A puts you at the balcony edge with an unobstructed view downward. Row M (typically the back row) is significantly higher and further—you'll feel like you're watching from a different venue.

Our recommendation: If budget is tight, choose a less central block in row A over a central block in row M.

Sound Quality by Section

The O2 has good acoustics for an arena, but sound quality varies by location:

Best sound: Lower Tier blocks 109-114, roughly in line with the main PA hangs. The mix is designed for this zone.

Good sound: Most of lower tier and front rows of upper tier facing the stage.

Variable sound: Floor sections can have uneven sound, especially near the stage where you might be in front of the main speakers.

Challenging sound: Upper tier corners and blocks behind the stage often suffer from echo and delay.

Concert vs Events: Different Configurations

The O2 hosts various events beyond standard concerts:

Boxing and UFC

The ring/octagon is positioned centrally, making all four sides of the arena viable. Lower tier blocks around the entire arena become equally good, and floor seating is reduced to ringside tables (extremely expensive).

Best seats for combat sports: Lower tier rows A-D in any block facing a corner of the ring.

Award Shows and Seated Events

When the floor has seating rather than standing, it becomes more attractive. You'll have a guaranteed view (no tall people blocking you), and the atmosphere is more relaxed.

Comedy and Speaking Events

For comedy, sound quality matters more than sightlines. Stick to lower tier centre blocks (108-114) where the acoustics are clearest.

Accessibility

The O2 has good accessibility provision:

- Wheelchair platforms in lower and upper tiers

- Companion seats adjacent to accessible spaces

- Accessible toilets on all levels

- Lift access to all tiers

- Hearing enhancement available

Booking tip: Call the venue directly for accessible seating rather than using the standard website—you'll get better seat selection and can explain specific needs.

Practical Tips

Best Entrance by Section

- Floor and Lower Tier: Enter via the main entrance and head straight in

- Upper Tier: Use the entrance furthest from the stage for your block to avoid climbing stairs

Interval Strategy

The main bars get extremely busy. The bars behind the upper tier are typically less crowded but further to walk.

Getting Out

Blocks 101-102 and 117-118 are closest to exits—helpful if you need to leave quickly after the show.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are restricted view seats worth it at the O2?

It depends on the restriction. "Limited view" seats beside the stage (blocks 101 or 118) still give you a decent experience. Seats marked "behind stage" should be avoided unless you're specifically seeking that perspective.

Is the upper tier too far away?

Not necessarily. Front rows of the upper tier (especially blocks 406-415) offer a perfectly good experience. You'll watch the screens more, but you're still in the room feeling the atmosphere. Back rows of the upper tier do feel quite distant.

What's the best row in the lower tier?

Rows A-G offer the best combination of elevation and proximity. Row A is at the barrier, so you might have people standing in front of you. Rows D-F often hit the sweet spot.

Should I pay extra for floor seats?

Only if you're in the first 5-10 rows of Section A. Beyond that, you'll get a better view from lower tier for less money.

Which side of the stage is better?

For most tours, there's no significant difference. Drummers and keyboard players are typically stage right (blocks 101-102 side), while lead guitarists often favour stage left (blocks 117-118 side). Check fan forums for your specific artist if this matters to you.

The Bottom Line

The best seats in the O2 Arena are in the lower tier blocks 101-102, 111-112, or 117-118, particularly rows A-G. These offer the ideal combination of elevation, proximity, and sightlines.

If budget is a concern, upper tier front rows (blocks 406-415) offer excellent value—you're trading some intimacy for clear views and usually significant savings.

Avoid rear floor sections (C, D) and any seats behind the stage unless you specifically want that experience.

The O2 is a well-designed venue where most seats offer a decent view. Unlike older arenas with pillars and awkward angles, you're unlikely to have a truly bad experience here. But the difference between a good seat and a great seat can make a concert unforgettable—and hopefully this guide helps you find it.